Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Broadway Buzz: THE LAST FIVE YEARS Movie, Anna Kendrick, Aaron Tveit, and More Make Headlines!

Having a day job that has nothing to do with Broadway makes weekends stressful, because that's the first chance I get to check the Broadway news from the week. And now that the world seems to have a Broadway-to-screen fever, that increases all the gossip and casting talk.

So I bring you the top stories you missed from the week.

All the cool kids are showing up for a benefit show for Sandy Hook Elementary School. No really, we've got Stephen Schwartz, Marc Shaiman, and even some misfits who always try to be one of the cool kids, but churn out flop after flop, like composer Frank Wildhorn (who wouldn't be complete without Linda Eder, who will be performing). The song list is both fun and inspiring. The go-to inspirational songs "Somewhere" (West Side Story) and "The Impossible Dream" were performed, naturally. As much as I love Brian Stokes Mitchell, I actually find his version of the latter song disappointing and a little over dramatic with way too much schmacting happening. Of course, how can you beat the original 1966 Richard Kiley version?

Sandra Bullock was going to play Miss Hannigan in the remake of Annie, but backed out, and now apparently Cameron Diaz will take on the role. I hate that they're doing another remake of Annie. One was too many. The original was golden, the second was pretty unfortunate, and I have no optimistic expectations for this one. I'd say if they could bring in some legends for this movie like the first one, they might have a chance. But Sandra Bullock? Cameron Diaz?! Not legend material. However, I'm relieved that Sandra Bullock pulled out, because I could totally see her pull a Russell Crowe and be awful. No version will beat the dream cast of Tim Curry as Rooster, Bernadette Peters as Lily, and of course the incredible Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan. Reminisce as you watch them sing "Easy Street."

In Japan, Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, and Yu Shirota (who I assume is a Japanese star of some sort) performed a Broadway concert featuring classics from Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, and more. And bless her heart, Sierra Boggess goes flat as she sings "Part of Your World" in this video.